The present black and white photograph features a prototype of Gustav Jensen's patented design for a table-top radio cabinet, here positioned on a round glass table resting on a carpet. In the background is a furniture unit composed of a sofa-with-attached-end-tables fabricated of a hard-surfaced material, perhaps marble or plastic, and a seat cushion and arm rests, apparently of tufted velvet. The featured object, a spherical radio cabinet on a thin cylindrical pedestal, has five ziggurat levels, beginning about midway and diminishing in size from there to the top; the sound is emitted through the openings. The tuning dial is located on the base. The carpet, visible through the table top and beyond, features a design of swirling flowers in a lighter tone than the background.

There is one other image of this object. See our image rights statement.

See more objects with the tag circular, radios, concentric, cabinets, prototype.

Object Timeline

1936	Work on this object began.
1940	Work on this object ended.
1956	We acquired this object.
2015	We photographed this object.
2016	We photographed this object.
2017	We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Photograph, Interior with Table-Top Ziggurat Radio Cabinet

This is a Photograph. It is dated 1936–40 and we acquired it in 1956. Its medium is black and white silver gelatin print. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

Industrial designer Jensen’s prolific career encompassed successful patents and designs ranging from radio cabinets, like the one in the photograph, to typefaces. The striking compositions and interplay of shadows and light in these two photographs of Jensen’s designs herald modern design aesthetics and aspirations, as well as highlight the development of radio technology.

It is credited Gift of Ellen Gustav Jensen.

New World Radio Radio
catalin (thermosetting plastic), metal, textile materials.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2011-44-1

La Luna Lamp
earthenware, glaze, metal fluorescent tube, electrical cord.
Gift of George and Louise Beylerian.
1991-168-6

Gyro Bangle Bracelet
silver, lathe turned aluminum.
The Susan Grant Lewin Collection, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
2016-34-118

Our curators have highlighted 1 object that are related to this one.

Jar And Cover (Germany)
glazed earthenware.
Gift of Victor Wiener.
1999-57-32-a,b

Its dimensions are

H x W: 16.6 × 16.2 cm (6 9/16 × 6 3/8 in.)

Cite this object as

Photograph, Interior with Table-Top Ziggurat Radio Cabinet; USA; black and white silver gelatin print; H x W: 16.6 × 16.2 cm (6 9/16 × 6 3/8 in.); Gift of Ellen Gustav Jensen; 1956-47-84-n

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition The World of Radio.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2CmMM/
Accession Number 1956-47-84-n
Object ID 18410463